152 
WISCONSIN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
REPORT OF THE CATTLE DEPARTMENT. 
BY C. H. WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT. 
The classes comprising the various breeds of neat stock 
were well sustained by the farmers of the state. The more 
prominent breeds, with a few exceptions, were fully represent¬ 
ed in point of numbers, and in many instances by very choice 
and finely bred animals, creditable in the highest degree to 
their owners, and indicating that the soil and climate of the 
state are well adapted to producing valuable stock. The Short 
Horns, as usual, were far more numerous than any other breed ; 
next, in point of numbers, came the Devons; then the Alder- 
neys, and a small representation of Ayrshires. The two last 
named showing a better class of cattle than have been exhibit¬ 
ed heretofore. . 
In the early days of the state, the larger proportion of our 
farmers entertained the belief that it would be impossible to 
make cattle-raising a success, and there are some who—unfor¬ 
tunately for themselves—are of that opinion still. But the 
gradual, yet very perceptible improvement in this department, 
at the various annual exhibitions of the society since its or¬ 
ganization, and especially the recent fine display of thorough¬ 
bred stock, must convince all thinking minds that cattle-rais¬ 
ing here can be made profitable, and should in part be the 
business of all farmers whose lands are, or can be made suita¬ 
ble for the cultivation of grasses. 
Breeders of thorough-bred stock have, for the past few years, 
shown a very commendable emulation, and great enterprise 
in bringing into the state so many valuable breeding animals 
These breeders have done much towards advancing the gene¬ 
ral prosperity, and it now becomes the duty, as it is the inter¬ 
est of the general farmer to make use of the advantages 
brought to his door, and proceed without delay to improve his 
native stock, step by step, until they become paying property, 
and a credit to the grower, his count } 7 and state. 
The show of milch cows was meagre indeed (although the 
